महाभारत के कर्ण पंकज धीर का हुआ निधन 68 साल की उम्र में लिए अंतिम सांस। Pankaj Dheer Death News 2025

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💔 Farewell to a Legend: Pankaj Dheer, The Iconic Karna of ‘Mahabharat,’ Passes Away at 68

 

The world of Indian television and cinema is united in grief following the death of veteran actor Pankaj Dheer at the age of 68. The actor, who achieved enduring fame as the noble warrior Karna in B.R. Chopra’s landmark series Mahabharat, passed away after a prolonged struggle with cancer.

His death has sent a wave of shock through the industry, which recognizes Dheer not only for his powerful on-screen presence but also for his dedication to the craft of acting and direction.

The Enduring Legacy of Danveer Karna

 

Pankaj Dheer’s portrayal of Karna remains one of the most celebrated performances in the history of Indian television.

A National Icon: His compelling and nuanced acting as Suryaputra Karna made him a household name across India, establishing a profound emotional connection with the audience.
Widespread Devotion: The character resonated so deeply that Dheer revealed in interviews that his image as Karna was used in school textbooks and that statues modeled after him were erected and worshipped in temples in places like Karnal and Bastar.
Audience Emotion: The public reaction was intense; when the scene depicting Karna’s death was broadcast during the original run of Mahabharat, reports indicated that viewers were moved to tears.

 

A Career Built on Talent and Persistence

 

Born on November 9, 1956, in Punjab, Pankaj Dheer was the son of film director C.L. Dheer. Although he initially aspired to be a director, his career began in acting.

 

Career Milestones

 

Debut: He started his acting career with the film Sookha and appeared in several Hindi movies, including Sadak and Badshah.
Television Fame: Aside from Mahabharat, Dheer was highly acclaimed for his role as Shivdutt in the popular serial Chandrakanta, and also worked in shows like Kanoon.
Director and Mentor: Dheer was also recognized as a versatile creative talent. He founded the Abhinay Acting Academy in Mumbai to mentor aspiring actors. In 2014, he made his directorial debut with the film My Father GodFather.

 

The Role that Almost Wasn’t

 

Pankaj Dheer’s eventual casting as Karna came after a surprising twist:

Initial Audition: Dheer originally auditioned for the role of Arjuna and was successful, even signing the contract.

The Mustache Conflict: B.R. Chopra then requested that Dheer shave his mustache for the character of Arjuna’s disguise, Brihannala (the eunuch role). Dheer refused, citing that his facial structure would not look good without his mustache and arguing that he could not compromise his look.
The Second Call: His refusal led Chopra to initially remove him from the project. After a period of seeking work elsewhere, Dheer was called back by Chopra, who offered him the role of Karna, the role that would define his entire career.

 

The Personal Battles and Injuries

 

Dheer’s commitment to realism on set often led to personal risk.

On-Set Injury: During the filming of the war scenes for Mahabharat, the use of real weapons led to several incidents. Dheer suffered a serious injury when an arrow struck his eye, requiring subsequent surgery.
Health Struggle: Dheer had been battling cancer for a long time. His condition worsened in the months leading up to his death, plunging the film and television community into mourning.

Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer (a costume designer), his son, actor Nikitin Dheer, and his daughter, Nitika Shah.

We join the rest of the industry in offering prayers for the departed soul of this great actor.

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